BR: Dallas Cowboys Draft: Should the 'Boys Select an Offensive Tackle?

[TheSport78]

Originally Posted by Deep_Freeze

Can we hide him at RT after how he played last year???

I know the argument is he played better in previous years, and youth is on his side, but he really did look embarrassing last year.

That's why Mike Woicik gets paid the big bucks. I think he'll really help Free this offseason...

[Deep_Freeze]

Originally Posted by TheSport78

That's why Mike Woicik gets paid the big bucks. I think he'll really help Free this offseason...

Well I don't know if we can use that as a saving grace, guess my only point is we just can't assume in today's NFL that we can just put him at RT and he will be fine. Even on our own team we rush Ware from that side on occasion, if Free is struggling, the opposition will find him and use it to their advantage.

I know people look at NO, GB, NE, and such and just say make the offense as strong as possible in today's NFL. That would be the biggest reason in my mind to go OL in the first round, whether its OT or OG. While I don't see Jerry going OL at all this early again, if we can't get Grubbs or Nicks, then he has to consider it for sure.

We do also have to see that our D had some high picks that failed there for a while, and now is just getting old at some positions.

[Oh_Canada]

Free is a very good RT, they will be fine at tackle.

Draft an OG, maybe a center.

[Deep_Freeze]

Originally Posted by Oh_Canada

Free is a very good RT, they will be fine at tackle.

Draft an OG, maybe a center.

I would totally agree with you if we were a playoff team and weren't picking so high. We do need a real impact player at a premium position, and G or C definitely ain't one of those positions.

[burmafrd]

Free got a lot of help at LT in 2010; and we have tried to do a lot of 3 step drops and the like the last two years. To lessen the load on the O line. SO frankly those claiming he was all that great at LT in 2010 I say not. He was very good most of the time, but also remember that we had Colombo at RT last year and maybe the D's felt they did not need to try and work hard at beating Free with a turnstyle on the other side. Not to mention that if the RT play had been better in 2010 maybe Free would have given up more sacks, since the guys rushing on the right would not have been getting a free lunch there.

This year there is no doubt he was not as good. Now some of that was probably the fact that Kosier was not next to him like he was in 2010. But that should NOT have made as much difference as there was this year.

I think Free played his best while at RT. Send him back there.

[jnday]

Originally Posted by Deep_Freeze

I would totally agree with you if we were a playoff team and weren't picking so high. We do need a real impact player at a premium position, and G or C definitely ain't one of those positions.

This line of thinking is the reason the Cowboys are 8-8 .

[Deep_Freeze]

Originally Posted by jnday

This line of thinking is the reason the Cowboys are 8-8 .

To some extent I can agree with you, but we do have to get value at where we pick. I guess noone really saw how bad Free looked last year, guess I'm the only one.

Let's try to hide him on the right side and see how that works out.

[MichaelWinicki]

Originally Posted by jnday

This line of thinking is the reason the Cowboys are 8-8 .

The guard play for the Saints certainly looks "impact" doesn't it?

The bottom line is that there are about a dozen other positions on this team that I'm more concerned about than Free's spot.

[TheSport78]

It's VERY rare to see Romo being able to step up in the pocket comfortably. We have poor interior line play, there's no doubt about that. Interior OL should be addressed in free agency IMO.

[Deep_Freeze]

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

The guard play for the Saints certainly looks "impact" doesn't it?

The bottom line is that there are about a dozen other positions on this team that I'm more concerned about than Free's spot.

Well I guess everyone's favorite scout, couchscout, shouldn't be listened to on this subject:

Doug Free - I think the obvious prediction here is that he gets flipped to the right side, the less obvious prediction would be that he won't start there next season. He's gotta improve, he got worse down the stretch, he simply cannot keep his hands on the defender. He literally does everything else right, but his grip is too weak. Obviously, he'll be back next season, I'm very curious to see if/how much he improves.

Guess I'm going with the less obvious prediction. When it is stated that Holland was our second best OL (who is JAG), over Free, that should say plenty. Would be great to have DeCastro, but if so, I figure we will have to slide protection to Free's side to help him out.

That's how bad Free was.

[TheSport78]

Originally Posted by Deep_Freeze

Well I guess everyone's favorite scout, couchscout, shouldn't be listened to on this subject:



Guess I'm going with the less obvious prediction. When it is stated that Holland was our second best OL (who is JAG), over Free, that should say plenty. Would be great to have DeCastro, but if so, I figure we will have to slide protection to Free's side to help him out.

That's how bad Free was.

What would you think about this OL?

Tyron Smith, David Arkin, Kevin Kowalski, Ben Grubbs, Doug Free

[Woods]

Originally Posted by TheSport78

What would you think about this OL?

Tyron Smith, David Arkin, Kevin Kowalski, Ben Grubbs, Doug Free

Definitely an improvement vs. this past season.

I'd also try and keep Holland as a cheap veteran for depth purposes.

I like what I've seen from Kowalski, but I have no idea if he can be developed into a top quality Center.

I would seriously consider drafting a Center in Round 3/Round 4, depending on the staff's view on Kowalski.

[Deep_Freeze]

Originally Posted by TheSport78

What would you think about this OL?

Tyron Smith, David Arkin, Kevin Kowalski, Ben Grubbs, Doug Free

It would be better, but everything depends on who we actually can get in the draft and free agency. I'm more fine with that if we can get a top CB or a pass rusher who works out well and proves to be worth the pick.

I do wanna upgrade the OL, no question, and figure we will pick one with one of our top 3 picks. We just also need alot of help on D, and shouldn't be ignored.

[TheSport78]

Originally Posted by Woods

Definitely an improvement vs. this past season.

I'd also try and keep Holland as a cheap veteran for depth purposes.

I like what I've seen from Kowalski, but I have no idea if he can be developed into a top quality Center.

I would seriously consider drafting a Center in Round 3/Round 4, depending on the staff's view on Kowalski.

I would keep Holland as a backup no doubt. Kowalski will do great with Woicik's strength program also. I'd throw Arkin in the mix to improve as well. Nagy, Arkin and Kowalski are three players I'm keeping my eyes on for next year. We can't have Pro Bowlers at every position so we may have to get a FA guard, and then let the other players battle it out for the other guard spot.

Originally Posted by Deep_Freeze

It would be better, but everything depends on who we actually can get in the draft and free agency. I'm more fine with that if we can get a top CB or a pass rusher who works out well and proves to be worth the pick.

I do wanna upgrade the OL, no question, and figure we will pick one with one of our top 3 picks. We just also need alot of help on D, and shouldn't be ignored.

If the team doesn't believe Kowalski or Costa is the long-term solution, I'd be down for Ben Jones in the 3rd round.

[Bizwah]

I think the original question of this post is a good one.

If one of the top OTs is available at 14, do we pull the trigger?

Kalil, Reiff, or Martin....if they're available, then take them. We'd have a fine tackle combo.

If we do that....then, it's essential that we sign a FA OG or two.